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IXJ

$133.20+0.99%Healthcare43/100
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iShares Global Healthcare ETF · BlackRock

Data as at 29 March 2026

TL;DR

Tracks global healthcare companies across pharmaceutical, biotech, medical devices, and managed care. Unhedged, so AUD/USD movements affect returns. Cheaper than DRUG at 0.47% per year.

MER (Annual Fee)
0.47%
#2 lowest in Healthcare
1Y Return
-5.8%
3Y Return (p.a.)
+4.2%
Dividend Yield
1.47%
Trailing 12 months
AUM
$1,413.8M
Assets under management
Avg Daily Turnover
$813K
Avg shares × unit price
Unit Price
$133.20
As at 29 March 2026
Provider
BlackRock
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Strategy

Follows the S&P Global 1200 Healthcare sector index. Managed by BlackRock (iShares). Unhedged exposure means Australian investors receive the healthcare company returns plus or minus the AUD/USD exchange rate movement.

Top Holdings

Key Fact

IXJ and DRUG hold nearly identical companies but differ on currency hedging. IXJ is unhedged, DRUG is AUD-hedged. Over periods when the AUD falls against the USD, IXJ outperforms DRUG by the currency movement, and vice versa.

Suited for

Healthcare sector investors who prefer unhedged exposure or who expect the AUD to weaken against the USD (which would amplify returns in AUD terms). BlackRock management with a slightly lower 0.47% MER versus DRUG.

Risks

Unhedged: AUD strengthening reduces returns. US healthcare reform and drug pricing regulation are ongoing political risks. High concentration in large-cap pharmaceuticals means limited exposure to smaller biotech companies.

IXJ Comparisons

ETFCheck Score43/100
Fees (40%)30
Fund Size (25%)54
Liquidity (20%)12
Yield (15%)100
How scores are calculated →
Other Healthcare ETFs
DRUG
0.57% MER
26
HLTH
0.45% MER
15View all Healthcare ETFs →

Frequently Asked Questions - IXJ

How does IXJ differ from DRUG for Australian investors wanting healthcare exposure?+
IXJ tracks the S&P Global 1200 Healthcare Index, giving it a much broader mandate than DRUG's pharma-and-biotech focus. IXJ includes medical device makers, health insurers like UnitedHealth (~7% of the fund), and healthcare equipment companies alongside traditional pharma names. This makes IXJ more defensive during biotech sell-offs, as its diversified sub-sector mix reduces concentration risk. With a MER of 0.47%, it suits investors wanting broad healthcare without stock-picking across sub-industries.
Why is IXJ's yield so low at 0.85%, and how does that affect SMSF income strategies?+
Global healthcare companies typically reinvest heavily into R&D rather than paying large dividends, which explains IXJ's modest 0.85% yield. For SMSF trustees in accumulation phase this matters less, as total return (11.4% over one year) drives portfolio growth. However, SMSFs in pension phase needing regular income may find IXJ insufficient as a standalone holding. Pairing it with higher-yielding ASX ETFs like VAS can balance income needs while maintaining healthcare's defensive characteristics.
What currency risk do Australian investors face holding IXJ?+
IXJ is unhedged, meaning Australian investors are fully exposed to movements in the AUD against the USD, EUR, and other currencies where holdings are domiciled. When the Australian dollar weakens, IXJ returns are amplified in AUD terms, and vice versa. Over IXJ's one-year return of 11.4%, currency movements contributed meaningfully. Investors wanting to neutralise this risk would need to consider hedged alternatives, though no directly hedged global healthcare ETF currently trades on the ASX.
Is IXJ too concentrated in US healthcare stocks for proper global diversification?+
US companies represent roughly 70% of IXJ's portfolio, reflecting America's dominance in global healthcare markets. While this seems concentrated, it captures world leaders like Johnson & Johnson, Eli Lilly, and UnitedHealth that generate revenue globally. The remaining 30% spans Swiss, Danish, UK, and Japanese healthcare firms including Roche, Novo Nordisk, and AstraZeneca. For Australian investors already overweight domestic banks and miners, IXJ provides genuine sector and geographic diversification despite its US tilt.